Less than a month to go!! Yes, somehow, miraculously throughout this roller coaster year, I have blogged a photo (or more!) every.single.day. I don't even know how I have done it!! I have 20 days to go (I think), as I didn't begin till January 12th, whereas many other lovely Project 366 participants have only till December 31st. An amazing milestone for all of us. It has been a really rewarding, challenging and inspiring project, I must say!
Surprisingly, I haven't found it too hard to post a picture a day... in fact I often found myself torn on what moment to share. It has become a ritual, I guess... to sit down at the end of the day after kids are in bed, downloading photos, editing, writing a few (or many!) words... even on my most exhausted days, it has been a quiet way to reflect on the day that has passed, to see a delight captured that perhaps otherwise would have gone unnoticed. In this way, this project has made me so much more aware of my blessings, so much more open-eyed to the quirky little charms of my children (even on their most 'making Mummy crazy' days!), and thankful to be able to notice, capture, and then reflect on the rich treasures found every day in the heart of my little family.
It now seems almost impossible to not document the delight before me!
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| A little morning visit to Amber's house, and Eli cruises around on Finn's scooter. Little does he know he is getting one for Christmas! Shhh....... |
Although I started the year almost afraid to put my camera down (why take one photo when I could take 47?!), scared to miss a moment and always trying to capture a 'better' moment or version of events, I quickly learnt that I did not want to live that way every day. I am grateful to be my family's memory maker and documenter, but I do not only want to be an observer - I want to fully participate in our little adventures in life! I do not want the kids to only remember me documenting their lives, always hidden behind the viewfinder. So before too long, I would try to discipline myself - to capture the essence of a moment (even if it was not perfectly, the idea or event is still recorded) then put the camera down and re-enter the moment more fully. I would force myself to leave the camera at home for certain outings, to check off the photo for the day then put the camera aside. It was admittedly hard to turn off my 'oooh, this would make a great photo' mindset at times!! But I really wanted to be deliberate about not only witnessing my world through a camera lense but also to be interactive, present, fully conscious and involved. It is soooo tempting, I discovered, to otherwise pretty much view every moment as a photographic opportunity instead of, you know, real life! As much as I am now passionate about recording moments both big and small, I still believe there is a lot to be said for memories that live only in our hearts...
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| Scooter Negotiations.Oh, this makes me laugh!! Finn patiently instructing Eli on how to do a loop around the house (he is a whizz on the scooter!) and rather perplexed when Eli instead happily just crawls along on the grass and pavement! |
This year has been loooong in many ways, and often a blur due to my pregnancy sickness. I am not quite sure how through that haze I still managed to post a photo a day.... although I know many of them were pretty uncreative to say the least! I guess when countless days ticked by with nothing to do but lie in bed feeling miserable, this project encouraged (forced?!) me to look for small moments of joy, and a small sense of accomplishment to at least be able to snap something and upload it whilst lying in bed. Although I can hardly remember those months, I am glad they are not all lost!
As for where to from here... well, with a new little family member soon to arrive - and no telling how three kids under five is going to go - I am not exactly sure! Although I would like to do Project 365 again one day, it won't be next year - I will need to free up some time for this new arrival! ;) And it will be nice to be free to take photos when I feel inspired rather than every day, no matter what. I have to say I have enjoyed having the blog and being able to
For those who have followed along this year (seriously, who ARE you wonderful people?!) I am so grateful! It has been a learning process, sometimes inspiring and often nerve-wracking, but all in all - a surprisingly rich blessing to my life. I am so thankful for this record to look back and reflect on - both for myself and for the kids - and I do plan to make a mega-photo book of this year for concrete evidence of my madness :)
Anyway, I really better calm down, after all, I still have twenty days to go!! Hope I can cross that finish line...
Kate, I wish I could write as well as you. You hit the nail on the head with that paragraph about wanting to participate and not just document what was happening. I went through that exact same feeling with the project about June. I went from capturing everything to taking a few shots, hoping for the best and being more involved in the girls were doing. High five to all of us. We are nearly at the end! And seriously, how on earth did you do this from your sick bed for months. Amazing woman you are!
ReplyDeletephew, it's not just me then!! :) yes, such a relief to take a pic then let it go rather than hovering w the camera all the time huh. HIGH FIVE's all around for sure... amazing what this group has been through making our way through this year! sooo close to the end, esp for you and those who started Jan 1 - yippee!
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ReplyDeleteFor Dave and I this has been such a pleasure. It has been a real inside look at life for you and Mark with the kids. You have been very generous in sharing that with us.
Marg xx
I've enjoyed reading your blog, even though I see you each Sunday. And a lot of your pictures are just stunning. I mean, your babies are already ridiculously photogenic but I do think you have quite the gift with the camera, lady! I look forward to reading your posts in the years to come. xx
ReplyDeletethanks lovely Velle - I definitely feel like I do NOT have a gift w the camera, but being part of this project w incredibly talented photographers has really pushed me to learn - and/or imitate, haha! thanks for reading along - your blog is such an inspiration to me, you are my first friend I've known who blogged - and you do it w such amazing honesty and charm!
Deletewell done Kate! I've really enjoyed following along (from a distance). I'm looking forward to the post-Christmas pics. And, we have the same scooter - it's terrific! Worth every cent.
ReplyDeleteI have thought about the things you put into words so beautifully a lot recently and am trying to do something like you describe. I have so enjoyed getting to know your lovely family and have often been inspired by your parenting. On a couple of exasperated occasions your calm, thoughtful responses to your kids have given me just what I needed to take a deep breath and just hold them or talk something through in a gentler way. Thanks Kate.
ReplyDeleteJulia, you have no idea how honoured I am by your kind words and if anything I've said has helped you in parenting your little ones! I need to take my own advice, these pregnancy hormones combined w exhaustion have lately been making me feel frustrated w the kids several times - need to take a deep breath and think before responding!!!
DeleteKate your writing is heartwarming... and you are bringing so well into words what I think. I loved doing this project but was often sad too because I had the feeling that I simply was strained with taking the perfect pic instead of letting the camera and just play and being silly with the babies! And it was a big challenge to write this blog in english too!
ReplyDeleteI definitely have to change some things the next year before this wonderful project turns into something too exhausting and not so wonderful any more for me and my loved ones.
So let me say thank you that you put into words so wonderfully what I´m am planning! Hugs along your way
Maxima, I can't imagine doing this project AND translating my thoughts into a 2nd language - you have done amazing things!! Good on you for preparing to make changes so documenting delight can remain a delight and not a burden! It's so nice of you to say you have felt the same as me - we are all in this together :)
DeleteYou know, I have found parenting very challenging from the start. Not only was my baby a suprise baby... but I am a person who naturally likes a lot of alone time and can't stand extraneous noise - I'm sure you can see how that makes parenthood difficult! :-P This project has really helped me find the joy in parenthood. I've always adored my gorgeous girl of course, but this has helped me see her sweetness, to remember my love, even on days I feel like throttling her ;-P It throws in my face again and again - this is what you have, this is how lucky you are... be grateful! do better!
ReplyDeleteI am still guilty of seeing everything as a photographic opportunity - I definitely know what you mean about being able to put the camera down and participate... I have been trying to do that lately too if I know I've already got my photo for the day.
I've put your blog into my Bloglovin (reader) account so I can keep following along :-D
Em, thanks for sharing, it sounds like you have indeed grown through one of life's biggest surprises! it sure can be an adjustment... but how lovely this project helped you find extra joy and sweetness - I too am thankful for how its reminded me to look for those precious moments that can be easy to miss! i feel like we can never be grateful enough for these amazing blessings of children, huh? Thanks SO much for following my lil blog, I'm touched!
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